Getting bigger with smaller players Lard 2-24-11

Douglas LeeFeb 24, 2011 7:43 AM

Good Morning, Broncos fans! Ahh, it's been a while since we got a true gem out of Legwold - but it's Combine time, so he'll be writing up a storm. Today, he covers what he deems the Broncos' biggest roster needs outside the defense's front seven. First, Legwold says John Fox likes more physical TEs and decries the Broncos' lack of a touchdown from that position in 2010. Meanwhile, the Panthers got 2 TDs out of their guys last year, who happen to be a bit smaller than Denver's current group. No mention of the fact that tight ends just don't see the ball as much in Josh McDaniels' offense - that doesn't mean they lack receiving ability. But as for physicality, are Daniel Graham and Richard Quinn really lacking in that department?

Next up, Legwold continues his "DeAngelo Williams is a bigger, tougher back who fits Fox's profile better" narrative. In case you were wondering, Williams weighs five pounds less than does Knowshon Moreno, twelve fewer than Correll Buckhalter and falls thirty pounds shy of LenDale White. But yeah, let's upsize and add durability to our RB corps by signing DeAngelo, who by the way has missed 13 games over the past two seasons (Knowshon missed 3). Finally, Legwold says the Broncos could use some help at safety (well, one out of four ain't bad) and wide receiver. Yeah, wide receiver. Even with Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Royal rehabbing from their surgeries, we're long Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, Eric Decker, Matthew Willis, and Eron Riley has a future contract. But sure - as the Broncos supposedly move toward being more of a power running team, they should draft some more wideouts. Makes perfect sense...

Broncos

While prepping for the Combine, Brain Xanders tells Legwold that under John Fox's guidance, the Broncos will be running an "extremely fast defense...with a lot of speed," which will require smaller players.

Klis spoke with Sean Payton about Dennis Allen's sudden departure from New Orleans. Plus, the RFA status of Wesley Woodyard and Matt Prater. Finally, Klis says the Broncos are working on bringing back Kevin Vickerson and Marcus Thomas.

The Capital Times profiles Broncos coach and Wisco star Eric Studesville. Good stuff.

As Ted did yesterday, Kirwan points out that interest in drafting a quarterback at #2 could help Denver stockpile picks.

Legwold speculates about whether John Elway will get hands on in helping Tim Tebow progress.

The NFL will announce a more comprehensive standard for testing players for concussions during games. Plus, the league is pushing states to pass legislation to help prevent concussions in youth football ala the Snakenberg Act in Colorado.

if that&#8217s wrong, let me know - I&#8217m putting something together on the LBs right now. Doug pointed out that we&#8217re looking at a lot of castoffs and CFAs, and there&#8217s a lot of truth to that. One guy&#8217s castoff is another&#8217s starter, but we&#8217re awfully weak on LB. I notice that Xanders mentioned free agency, but that&#8217s iffy for this year. Hope it happens.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2011-02-24 22:35:42

Carolina has big DEs - they run around 275, 280 and higher in weight. Peppers ran 287 lb. If the DL handles most of the blockers, then the LBs can do what they love to do - tackle.

Maybe this is what they have in mind?

Posted by BlackKnight on 2011-02-24 21:32:02

@ sleepyteak - Thanks for doing the homework. I looked at both the Panthers and the Saints depth charts to find both of those teams using smaller LBs. I was amazed to see Vilma @ 235 as MLB for NO.

I also saw the the Vikings franchised their MLB Greenway (sp?) - so he will not be available during the FA period.

I agree that we need a MLB. DJ&#8217s strength is not MLB - he is better at the weakside and could play strong side. Mayock rates the top ILB as Martez Wilson of ILL @ 6&#82174&#8221 250 4.59. He is #38 on the cbs Sports ratings.

I am fine with smaller LBs if they can shed blockers, tackle and cover.

Thanks for the lard, Doug

Posted by BlackKnight on 2011-02-24 20:20:27

You guys are giving me flashbacks to Ian Gold&#8230 *shudder*

Posted by JR_G on 2011-02-24 17:22:55

The draft picks that Carolina has made the last 5 years are Norwood 6&#82171&#8221 242 4.71, Connor 6&#82173&#8221 231 4.67, Taylor 6&#82173&#8221 242 4.64, Beason 6&#82170&#8221 237 4.72, Shaw 6&#82172&#8221 236 4.51, Anderson 6&#82173&#8221 229 4.59. Interesting the fastest, Shaw, is the one no longer on the team.

Summary: 4 of Denver&#8217s LB fit the specs of what Fox has drafted the last 5 years being 6&#82170&#8221-6&#82173&#8221 and 225-245lbs and runs between 4.50-4.72 40. The ones that miss are Mays which is slow anda little short. Haggan, although I don&#8217t have a 40 time on him, I believe is also slow. I really don&#8217t think they care if he&#8217s big if he is fast enough. Robinson fits the ML mold and DJ Woodyard and Braxton the outside. This supports my opinion that Denver&#8217s greatest need is LB.

Posted by sleepyteak on 2011-02-24 16:49:51

If we are going faster, Haggan may be gone.

I see a high pick on a safety (2nd/3rd).

Hoping we find a LB in FA.

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-02-24 16:30:55

IMO Denver&#8217s biggest need is a MLB. The draft isn&#8217t the answer to that position. So there will have to be FA signing there. To me safety is not that big of an issue because I think McBath will be healthy and Bruton is as capable as any 2nd round pick. I believe that BDawk and Jamal Williams will be released this week. If Denver signs Vickerson and Thomas they need 1 more DT and 1 more DE. The other high pick need to be at Sam LB.

Posted by sleepyteak on 2011-02-24 15:17:32

I seem to recall both Krieger and Legwold being far more prepared, reasonable, thoughtful and readable at the Rocky Mountain News. Now you can almost hear Krieger&#8217s chronic snickering in his prose, and Legwold seems to be writing about an alternate universe about 75% of the time.

Wesley Woodyard has to be pumped. He should get every opportunity to prove that he&#8217s more than a special teamer and situational player. It&#8217d be nice to believe that D.J. could make a seamless transition to the strong side seeing he has the size and all, but I think its safe to say at this point that he isn&#8217t a stack and shed &#8216backer. Maybe he has a future in the middle in Denver, but I doubt even that. What sucks is that a year ago, D.J. probably had all sorts of trade value. Now, after his second DUI and a woefully listless 2nd half of 2010, its hard to believe that Denver could get any value for him at all.

The funny thing about DeAngelo Williams&#8212his considerable injury history aside&#8212is that he sure doesn&#8217t look or play like he&#8217s 5-9 217. He may provide the home run threat that Bronco Country has decided defines a valuable and worthy RB, but to call Williams a power player is a nonsensical reach.

Posted by Drewthorn on 2011-02-24 14:50:15

Could this be the season where Woodyard gets a real chance?

Posted by SteveUk on 2011-02-24 14:42:12

@ FiE

I have been reading DJ Williams is in there barring any trade. Joe Mays would be awesome to have in there if he can develop in pass coverage. And as of right now Woodyard is in the final spot (or Mario Haggan). But I wouldn&#8217t be shocked if the Broncos use a high draft pick on a LB

Posted by SpaceCowboy on 2011-02-24 14:39:46

@spacecowboy I think you&#8217re right at least in theory. We might not be as vulnerable to the hurry up offense that&#8217s killed us before.

I&#8217m still wondering to know what the Linebacker situation is going to be next year. Who are they planning on playing and where?

Posted by Fan in Exile on 2011-02-24 14:27:35

It seems like a strong D-Line with fast LB&#8217s would be a great defense. The caveat would be that the LB&#8217s would have to be sure tacklers, but with faster LB&#8217s wouldn&#8217t you not have to swap in less DB&#8217s and maintain a base formation (i.e. be able to protect against the pass easier with faster LBs?)

Posted by SpaceCowboy on 2011-02-24 13:59:12

Thanks Doug loved it.

I don&#8217t mind smaller faster LBs as long as they can wrap up, and the D-line in front of them is Strong and Effective. They&#8217ve got to keep the O-line off of the LBs.

I amended my DeAngelo point - what is hilariously omitted in Legwold&#8217s obsession with him is that Williams has missed THIRTEEN games over the past two seasons. Knowshon, despite being portrayed as being complected of papier-mache, has missed a total of three games, all in 2010.

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2011-02-24 13:23:54

Thankfully, John Fox is a bona fide defensive coach, but I am a bit leery of this move to smaller defensive players. That was the problem with Shanahan&#8217s defenses&#8212even the good ones. Those defenses would start out really well at the beginning of the season, but quickly wore down as the season progressed&#8212particularly against bigger, physical teams.

I am not saying that the defense didn&#8217t need an infusion of speed; it definitely does considering how fast and athletic the Raiders are and how difficult it is to contain the likes of Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster. We have, however, seen the small defensive player story unfold before in Denver, and it&#8217s usually ended badly for the Broncos. Let&#8217s hope that the Fox-Allen system of smaller, quick players can get it done for an entire season unlike in years past.

Posted by RSH on 2011-02-24 13:17:41

What is the obsession with DeAngelo Williams? Anybody? Anybody?

Bueller&#8230.Bueller&#8230.Bueller&#8230..

And sure Leggy, lets draft Green at #2, because who is going to play the 4th WR spot now